I was discussing weight with my iaido classmates the other day and we got on the topic of how much we weighed when graduating high school, and how much we've gained. It was kind of funny because most people graduate highschool at 18 and in the midst of a testosterone boom, but in spite of this most of us were shrimpy. It took us a few years before the pounds really started packing on. I graduated high school at 125 pounds (but this fat for me as I wrestled at 115lbs) and now am 185 pounds.

What was your weight at high school graduation?Only one choice allowed

I graduated at around 240lbs (17 years old), then gradually worked myself up to around 250 by the time I was 23. During that time I had a bad neck injury that put me out of training for 7 months, and so it was a '2 steps back then 3 forward' situation. At 23, I screwed all my rotator cuff muscles (self inflicted- doh!)and needed a lot of rehab. during this time, unlike my neck, I could still keep active, and got heavily into my cardio work. I built up steadily, and used swimming as a big part of my shoulder rehab. By the time I was given the all clear on my cuffs, I was down to 160 lbs (losing muscle drops weight more dramaticaly than fat), but setting myself mini triathalons 'for fun'.From 24-27 yrs old I built my strength and muscle back to the point of being a very lean 196 lbs and i maintained that nice and steady until I met my wife at 27 years old.That lead to more or less a year off training completely, and lots of good food and drink. I hit 28 years old at a bulky 260 28-29 I re-instated training, but the thought of losing the bulk would have meant sorting my lifestyle out (i was having too much fun for that), so I just worked on powerlifting and kidding myself that I was happy to be big for that. Hit 29 at around 270, quit smoking and drinking and had a medical that showed my blood pressure was bad, and that i needed to sort myself out. so I did. 29-31 I undid the damage and got down to 205 (my 'pre-wife' weight + some extra muscle). at 32 I remain at 205-210 and continue to train in a balanced fashion with no specific goal other than to work as hard as I can and enjoy it.

I graduated High School in 1986 and weighed approximately 155 lbs. By about 1997 I weighed 193 lbs and none of that was muscle. Most of that weight was gained from 1992 and on as I was less active and I had taken a desk job whereas previously I was big into sports and worked in a warehouse. In 1997 I introduced weight lifting and in 6+ months was down to 165 lbs of lean muscle. Through heavy lifting with a body building routine I got up to 207 lbs but after joining martial arts 5 years ago I weigh 195 lbs now with still solid muscle and adequate size. I'm 5' 8.5" at 38 years old if that helps.

_________________________"IF I COME ... I'M BRINGING THE PAIN WITH ME"

I myself was about 130lbs. Then I grew and am now 160lbs and a lot taller. I was a bit of a late developer.

Hey Cord interesting story. Can I ask you how much of your fitness experience revolves around your work in the fitness industry? How hard is it to keep yourself fit and train when your job is in the same area?

Is it like: "Phew! I've finished an 10 hour shift, I'm going home. The last thing I want to think about is training or anything fitness related." Or were you motivated because you have a passion for training?

Quote:Hey Cord interesting story. Can I ask you how much of your fitness experience revolves around your work in the fitness industry? How hard is it to keep yourself fit and train when your job is in the same area?

Is it like: "Phew! I've finished an 10 hour shift, I'm going home. The last thing I want to think about is training or anything fitness related." Or were you motivated because you have a passion for training?

The first few years you feel like a kid in a sweet shop! You have free unlimited access to the facility you work in, and its all great. By 4 or 5 years in, you are coming to appreciate time away from the gym, and your training becomes more 'efficient', and you come to a better understanding of what the body needs to experience to improve, as opposed to what you think it should need in regards to volume.If you go self employed as a personal trainer, you simply have to keep yourself in reasonable shape. Prospective clients want to see that your methods work, and there is no better advert or evidence than what you have accomplished yourself. Keeping motivated is difficult over the long haul when you seem to spend your life in the gym, and i undoubtedly train with more enthusiasm now that i am no longer involved in the industry.